BBB Warns of Jury Duty Scam

BBB Warns of Jury Duty Scam

The BBB is warning of the latest scam. In a new twist, scammers are using "jury duty" to commit identity theft or steal your money.

The BBB is warning of the latest scam. In a new twist, scammers are using "jury duty" to commit identity theft or steal your money.

Here's how the scam works. The scammer calls, claiming to work for the local court, and claims you've failed to report for jury duty. He tells you there is a warrant out for your arrest. The victim most often says they never received jury duty notification. The victim is then instructed to pay a fine in the amount of $1,000 via Green Dot Money Card from Walmart to avoid being arrested.

In other cases, the scammer asks for the victim's confidential information for "verification" purposes. The scammer asks for the victim's social security number, birth date, and sometimes even for credit card numbers or other private information. The victim is clearly caught off guard by the nature of the call, and gives the information.

In reality, court workers will never call to ask for your social security number or other private information. In fact, most courts follow up through the mail and rarely, if ever, call prospective jurors. This jury duty scam is the latest in a series of identity theft scams where scammers use the phone to get people to reveal their personal information.

Protecting yourself is simple. Your BBB warns: Never give this personal confidential information out when you receive a telephone call.

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